5th Sunday in Ordinary Time A 2023
To prepare for my homily this week I did some research on the benefits and hazards of salt. This is what I found out.
Salt is essential for human health: Salt is a vital mineral that the body needs to function properly. It helps regulate fluid balance, aids in digestion, and plays a role in nerve and muscle function.
Yet, too much salt can lead to health problems: it can increase blood pressure and lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Salt enhances flavor: we use it in cooking and bring out the natural flavors of food and it is often used to preserve food.
While over-salting food can ruin the taste and make it inedible.
We use a lot of it this time of the year to de-ice our roads and sidewalks to prevent slipping in cold weather.
It also can harm the environment: it can lead to soil and water pollution, as well as harm to plants and wildlife.
Just as salt has both pros and cons, so too do our actions and words have the power to both bless and harm those around us.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the importance of being salt and light in the world through our good deeds and testimony.
Being salt and light means being a positive influence in the world, bringing hope, joy, and love to those around us.
Like salt, our faith is not just about what we believe, but about how we live and what we do.
As Christians we are called to be salt, enhancing the flavor of life for those around us, and to be light, shining brightly in a dark world.
We can be salt and light by:
Being a peacemaker: By resolving conflicts and promoting harmony, we can bring peace and joy to those around us.
Serving the poor and marginalized: By volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating to a charity, or simply showing kindness to those in need, we can bring hope and comfort to those who are suffering.
Sharing the Gospel: By sharing our faith with others and living out our beliefs, we can be a light that shines in the darkness, pointing others to the love of Christ.
Being a good listener: By offering a compassionate ear and showing genuine interest in the lives of others, we can bring healing and comfort to those in need.
Practicing forgiveness: By letting go of grudges and extending forgiveness to those who have hurt us, we can bring love and peace to our relationships.
Being a positive influence: By speaking words of encouragement and spreading joy and hope, we can be a bright light in a world that can often be bleak and discouraging.
That kind of salt we can never have too much of!
In the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, the true Bread of Life.
May Jesus the Bread of Life feed our loves that we can be salt and light in the world bringing hope and love to those around us.